Travel Firm's Owner Charged With Fraud

The owner of a controversial Oakland Park travel firm was arrested on Thursday, charged with running an organized scheme to defraud and failing to register as a seller of a business opportunity.

Bryan Yamhure, 42, of Delray Beach, was led away in handcuffs from Premier Travel International, a firm that has sold travel agent training and credentials. "This is absolutely crazy," Yamhure said as he sat in the back of a police cruiser outside his office.

He also said the charges were unfair, but didn't comment at length.

Several thousand people have paid up to $6,290 for a membership with Premier, which in return promises access to travel discounts available to travel agents. But the memberships actually offer little of value, said State Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Charles Bronson.

In sworn statements, 36 customers said they lost $162,000 in dealings with Premier. The department has logged more than 200 complaints about the firm, which has been active in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Bronson said Premier drummed up business with calls promising a free trip to Las Vegas or Orlando. Consumers who showed up to claim the award at Premier's office at 871 E. Commercial Blvd. got a high-pressure pitch to buy a membership.

"This appears to be a case of the classic `bait and switch,'" Bronson said. "Not only were consumers, many of them elderly, not given a free vacation as promised but they were also talked into buying something that proved virtually worthless."

A man who said he was Yamhure's attorney, Elliott Goldberg, would not comment on the arrest or the charges.

Bronson tried to shut down Premier in July, issuing an emergency order that revoked its license to sell travel. Premier objected and a state court of appeal in Tallahassee ruled in its favor, saying the state's evidence was too vague to justify a shut down.

The agency has continued to press for a closure of the company in a case before the state Division of Administrative Hearings

Travel suppliers often give legitimate travel agents a discount on cruises, hotel stays, resort packages and other products to encourage them to become familiar with their features and in the hope that they will then recommend them to their clients. Generally, agents must show a International Airline Travel Agents Network card or number.

Some Premier members said they were issued "associate member" cards using Premier's IATAN number, which were not accepted by many travel firms.

Not all of Premier's customers are unhappy. Dave Jensen, 37, of West Palm Beach, was waiting at the company's office to buy a ticket on Thursday. Jensen said he is scheduled to take his free seven-day cruise aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruises ship in December.

As he watched Yamhure being arrested, Jensen said he paid $6,000 for his Premier membership in January. "He's done all right by me," Jensen said.

Tom Stieghorst can be reached at tstieghorst@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5008.